What is the rate at which mechanical energy is dissipated?

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the rate of mechanical energy dissipation when rubbing hands together, considering factors such as friction, normal force, and temperature change. It also includes a second part regarding the time required to achieve a specific temperature increase based on the energy dissipated.

Discussion Character

  • Mixed

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of frictional force and power dissipation, with one confirming their calculation of power as 6.13 W. Others question the interpretation of energy requirements, suggesting the need to account for both hands and clarifying unit discrepancies in calculations.

Discussion Status

The discussion is ongoing, with participants providing corrections and alternative approaches to the calculations. There is no consensus yet, but several participants are actively engaging with the original poster's reasoning and calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants note the importance of considering the total mass of both hands and the correct conversion of energy units in the calculations. There is also a mention of homework constraints that may affect the approach taken.

Rubidium
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1. Homework Statement
During a cold day, you can warm your hands by rubbing them together. Assume the coefficient of kinetic friction between your hands is 0.500, the normal force between your hands is 35.0 N, and that you rub them together at an average relative speed of 35.0 cm/s.
(a) What is the rate at which mechanical energy is dissipated?
(b) Assume further that the mass of each of your hands is 350 g, the specific heat of your hands is 4.00 kJ/(kg\cdotK), and that all the dissipated mechanical energy goes into increasing the temperature of your hands.
How long must you rub your hands together to produce a 5.00\circC increase in their temperature?




2. Homework Equations
(a) \DeltaE_{int}=Q_{in}+W_{on}
f_{k}=\mu_{k}F_{N}
(b) dE_{int}=c_{v}mdT




3. The Attempt at a Solution
(a) f_{k}=\mu_{k}F_{N}=(0.500)(35.0 N)=17.5 N \times0.35 m/s=6.125 J/s=6.13 W
(I know that part is correct.)
(b) dE_{int}=c_{v}mdT=(4.00 kJ/(kg\cdotK))(0.35 kg)(5.00\circC)=7.00 kJ
6.13 J/s / 0.007 J = 876 s
The correct answer is actually 38.1 min = 2286 s but I don't know what I am doing wrong. Please help.
 
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You have two hands, so you will actually need 14kJ. And this "6.13 J/s / 0.007 J = 876 s" is nonsense, you've got different units on both sides! Find 14kJ/(6.13J/s).
 
You can differentiate equation (b) to get:

P = mc \frac{\Delta T}{\Delta t}

which can be rewritten as

\Delta T = mc\frac{\Delta T}{P}

Of couse you have to hands, so the actual formula should be:

\Delta t = 2mc\frac{\Delta T}{P}

If you plug in the numerical values, you'll find that you get the correct solution.
 
the mass of both hands. You ahve to multiply the mass of one hand by 2. Also, 7kJ is 7000J.
 

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